Sustainable Windsor Experiences: Treading Lightly on the Estate

As the wheels turn softly along the Long Walk, the only sounds are the rhythm of hooves and the breeze in the avenue of trees. It is a pace Windsor has known for centuries, and one that feels as natural today as it did in Victorian times. At Windsor Carriages, we believe the best way to protect the future is to honour the past.

Our sustainable Windsor experiences are rooted in horse-drawn travel—a quiet, unhurried way to move through the world, in harmony with the landscape. It allows us to show our guests Windsor’s beauty without disturbing the deer, the wildlife, or the park itself.

Luxury with Thoughtfulness

Sustainability, for us, is not about doing less but about doing better. Every element of your visit is considered with the same care as the itinerary we design for you.

Your refreshments are served in beautifully bespoke, branded polycarbonate glasses—designed with as much thought for your toast as for the animals who share the estate with us.

Unlike glass, they leave no risk of breakage that could harm wildlife, ensuring celebrations remain safe as well as elegant.

From cotton napkins, cotton gloves, and aprons for our hospitality staff—all carefully chosen to be reusable, add comfort and refinement without waste.

Locally sourced food from our estate farm shop is served on wooden boards created within the estate from fallen oaks, complete with handcrafted wooden napkin rings.

Even the sparkling estate wine we pour reflects a choice to support heritage and sustainability close to home.

Tradition of Care

Sustainability begins with the horses. They are our partners and our pride, and everything we do is designed with their wellbeing at heart.

Their working days are balanced with variety and rest, ensuring they remain happy and willing in their work. Over the past decade, we have reduced their working hours by more than 60%, introducing greater human support so that the workload increased on the humans not the horses. And when the time comes for retirement, they remain with their families as much-loved companions—what my father fondly called “stable and field ornaments.”

Behind the Scenes

What our guests experience is effortless hospitality. Behind the scenes, a discreet team works quietly to make it so.

From an electric bicycle used by our staff to move swiftly through Windsor town and the estate, to a carefully coordinated team of coachmen, guides, and hosts, every choice is made to reduce impact and ensure your day flows seamlessly.

🌿 Did You Know?

Windsor’s Living Landscape

• Windsor Great Park spans 4,800 acres of ancient woodland, grassland, lakes, and gardens.

• It is home to over 500 veteran oak trees, some more than 1,000 years old.

• Several areas are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protecting rare plants, insects, and birdlife.

• The park supports a thriving biodiversity of deer, bats, butterflies, and migratory birds, making it one of the richest natural landscapes in southern England.

• Every carriage route is carefully chosen to respect this fragile ecosystem, ensuring your visit leaves no trace.

Looking to the Future of Sustainable Windsor Experiences

While our roots are Victorian, our vision is forward-looking. From introducing recyclable branded flasks to planning future electric Land Rover tours for winter visits, we continue to evolve in ways that blend heritage with innovation.

Our schools programme also plays its part, sharing with future generations the importance of heritage, horse welfare, and sustainable tourism.

The Memories We Leave Behind

Many of our guests remark on how peaceful it feels to move quietly through the park—close enough to see the deer grazing, yet without disturbing the silence of their world.

When your Windsor Carriages visit draws to a close, there are no footprints left behind—only memories. A story shared, a moment cherished, and the reassurance that Windsor has been experienced with care.

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